Auto News 5

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Yokohama Rubber's sales were down 5.6% year on year to JPY127.7bn (US$1.26bn) in the first quarter of the year (to 31 March 2013). Operating income fell 18.1% to JPY7.6bn and net income plunged 35.7% to JPY5.6bn.

BMW is rolling out its 'Genius' programme at UK dealerships following a successful pilot scheme in 2012.

Porsche Automobil Holding, already facing suits seeking a combined 4 billion euros ($5.2 billion) linked to the carmaker's aborted takeover of Volkswagen, was sued by more hedge funds in Germany.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) says potential recruits in the UK able to deal with its enormous supply challenges are "not readily available," although the automaker was in a more favourable position than component manufacturers.

Volkswagen Group and Ford fared well among automakers in an annual study released today measuring quality and how deeply consumers feel about a new car or light-truck purchase after several months of ownership.

News 13 May, 2013

The Mercedes E63 AMG S is the most powerful E-Class ever sold in the UK and it starts at £83,740

BMW Group said today that sales of its BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce brands rose by 7 percent to 155,419 vehicles in April, an record high for the month.

Nissan said it had "faced a range of challenges during fiscal year 2012, yet fourth quarter profitability enabled the company to achieve its full-year net income target".

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: I like this 2013 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV a lot. In my mind Maximas have always offered a fine alternative to the

Following the 2012 production downturn, Brazilian automakers set an all-time record in April: building 340,900 vehicles of all types. The first quarter was also a record with its 1.17m cars and light and heavy commercials, up 17% year on year.

An autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system uses sensors tucked behind the rearview mirror to work out if you are about to have a crash and apply the brakes automatically to either prevent the crash at lower speeds or reduce its severity at higher speeds. Although some luxury segment cars are already equipped with an AEB system, we are seeing some volume producers fitting it as standard on certain models. That seems hardly surprising given that from next year automakers hoping to get a five star NCAP rating will have to put in an AEB system. Matthew Beecham asked Matthew Avery, Head of Research at the UK-based Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre (Thatcham) for his views on AEB. Thatcham has been a member of the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) since 2004.

National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), says it is aiming to restart Saab production this autumn as it continues a recruitment drive for its new venture.

News 13 May, 2013

A 268bhp VW Amarok Power-Pickup has been revealed at Worthersee

BMW will invest 3 billion euros through the end of this year on the development of its lineup of electric vehicles, funding the "i" subbrand with earnings from its booming business in China, a German business newspaper reported.

Geely's Volvo Car Group today (Monday 13 May, 2013) began production of a new family of four cylinder petrol and diesel engines at its revamped Skövde engine plant.

News 13 May, 2013

The Lamborghini Egoista concept has been revealed to cap off the company's anniversary celebrations

Ford will use this month's UEFA Champions League soccer final to launch a new pan-European advertising campaign that focuses on its affordable, user-friendly technologies.

Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault and Nissan, said the companies are unlikely to reach their goal of selling a combined 1.5 million electric vehicles by 2016. Nissan has sold just 62,000 Leafs since the EV's debut in late 2010, he said.

VW Group has confirmed a German newspaper report that said it will build a factory with an annual capacity of 300,000 vehicles in Changsa, Hunan province, China.